Care worker raises in Minnesota House health budget

The Minnesota House has passed a budget for health and social programs that includes small raises for nursing homes and long-term care workers but which critics say isn't enough for financially challenged homes in rural areas.

The House passed the Democratic-sponsored health and human services budget late Monday after almost 10 hours of debate. The 70-64 vote was mostly along party lines but with a few crossovers.

The long debate steered into abortion politics when Republicans and a handful of Democrats successfully attached a provision requiring licensing and inspection of abortion clinics. Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed that requirement last year, and it's likely to face a tougher test in the Senate where fewer Democrats are opposed to legal abortion. A Senate alternative health budget will get a vote in that chamber too, which will set up a House-Senate conference committee.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.